DJI announces two micro four-thirds cameras for Inspire 1 drone

DJI joined the Micro Four Thirds Standard Group earlier this year intent on improving the quality of cameras compatible with its drones. The company wasted little time getting to work, just recently announcing a pair of 4K resolution, interchangeable-lens cameras targeting those with serious aerial photography ambitions.

The DJI Zenmuse X5 and X5R are both compatible with DJI’s Inspire 1. They feature a 16-megapixel image sensor that's eight times the size of the one used in the Inspire 1's original camera. It's the same sensor used by Olympus and Panasonic in their micro four-thirds line of cameras.

The Zenmuse X5 is capable of recording 4K (3,840 x 2,160) video at up to 30 fps, 2.7K (2,704 x 1,520) at up to 30 fps and Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) at up to 60 fps in MP4/MOV format. The X5R, meanwhile, can record lossless 4K videos in RAW at up to 30fps with a 1.7Gbps average bitrate (2.4Gbps maximum bitrate).

The more expensive X5R model is also capable of recording footage to both a microSD card and a removable 512GB solid state drive.

At launch, the cameras will be compatible with three lenses: the DJI MFT 15mm f/1.7 ASPH Prime, the Panasonic Lumix 15mm G Leica DG Summilux f/1.7 ASPH and the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2.0. Best yet, pilots will be able to adjust focus and aperture from the ground for added control.

The Zenmuse X5 will be available later this month starting at $4,499. The X5R, which won’t arrive until sometime in the fourth quarter, is priced at $7,999.